Public Information Officer

City of Indianola•Indianola, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Information Officer serves as the City of Indianola's primary communications professional, responsible for implementing the City's public information program and supporting consistent, accurate messaging across departments. This position manages the City's digital platforms, social media presence, media relations activities, crisis and emergency communications in partnership with City leadership, and marketing support to ensure timely, accessible public communication.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
Minimum of two years of experience in communications, public relations, media relations, or a related field; municipal or public sector experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the City's official spokesperson and primary contact for media inquiries; draft, review, and distribute press releases, media advisories, official statements, and public notices.
Administer the City's primary social media accounts across platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, and LinkedIn; develop content, manage a publishing calendar, monitor engagement, and coordinate responses.
Produce core communication materials including news releases, newsletters, event promotions, digital graphics, photography, short-form video, flyers, and other print and digital assets aligned with City brand standards and AP Style guidelines.
Coordinate with department staff and designated Communication Contacts to gather information, support content development, and ensure accurate public-facing communications.
Serve as the designated Public Information Officer (PIO) within the City's Incident Command System (ICS) structure during emergency operations, local disaster declarations, or Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations.
Monitor media coverage, public sentiment, and communication trends; track and report on performance metrics including social media engagement and website analytics to the Innovation and Internal Services Director.